A More Amicable Divorce Option
Facing a divorce is a loaded situation. It is loaded with sadness and sometimes anger, confusion, fear, disappointment, and even despair. Oregon’s divorce rate is roughly two percent higher than that of the rest of the country. If you haven’t been divorced yourself, you almost certainly know someone who has. A study by Yale’s Human Nature Lab in 2013 data concerning a sample of 5,000 people was analyzed. According to the authors, individuals with a friend who is divorced are themselves 270 percent – nearly three times – more likely to get divorced.
If you find yourself in this situation now or expect that you will be, we would like to offer you some information and some help. You might not yet have heard of Collaborative Divorce. It is defined as ‘a legal process enabling couples who have decided to separate or end their marriage to work with their lawyers and, on occasion, other family professionals in order to avoid the uncertain outcome of court and to achieve a settlement that best meets the specific needs of both parties and their children without the underlying threat of litigation.’ The process allows parties to have a fair settlement. The voluntary process is initiated when the couple signs a contract (a “participation agreement”) binding each other to the process and disqualifying their respective lawyer’s right to represent either one in any future family-related litigation. Collaborative law processes also have the added benefit of being cost efficient for the involved parties.
There are many expressions that advocate for thinking things through before you proceed. “Sleep on it” and “Let cooler heads prevail” are two of them. A collaborative divorce allows you the space to do this. You don’t want to lash out or simply walk away, turning everything over to an attorney. If you and your spouse can go through this together, your chances are much higher for an amicable outcome and ending. The best scenario is that you will each get what is fairly yours. This will free you up to move on to the next and happier chapter in your life. This is especially true if there are children involved. The less trauma, the better.
We have always taken this approach with our real estate divorce appraisals. Please take a look at Divorce Appraisals, there may be some helpful things in here. Call us anytime at 971.230.4242 to get started and to get all of your questions answered. We look forward to talking with you. Dealing with sadness and aggravation and worrying isn’t a good way to live. We want to help you do this the right way and get you back out on the other side.
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